Abstract:

A computerized on-board system for controlling a train or rail vehicle is
provided. The computerized on-board system includes a train control and
monitoring system (TCMS) having a main processor unit (MPU) for
controlling the train and electronic control, command and monitoring
equipment for providing control data for the train. The computerized
on-board system also includes at least one display unit for making the
control data of the train provided by the main processor unit (MPU) or by
the electronic equipment available and a main data transfer network. The
electronic equipment includes at least one additional item of equipment,
the at least one additional item of equipment being electronic equipment
for automatic train control (ATC) or video surveillance equipment (CCTV).
The display unit processes the data and displays data produced by one of
the at least one additional items of equipment.

Claims:

1. A computerized on-board system for controlling a train or rail vehicle
comprising:a train control and monitoring system including a main
processor unit for controlling the train and electronic control, command
and monitoring equipment for providing control data for the train;remote
input/output modules for relaying data to and from the main processor
unit for outputs/inputs of the train or for the electronic control,
command and monitoring equipment which is connected to sub-networks for
data transfer;at least one display unit for displaying the control data
of the train provided by the main processor unit or by the electronic
control, command and monitoring equipment; anda main data transfer
network, wherein the main processor unit, the at least one display unit,
the remote input/output modules and the electronic control, command and
monitoring items of equipment are connected to the main data transfer
network directly or indirectly by remote input/output modules,the
electronic control, command and monitoring equipment includes at least
one additional item of equipment, the at least one additional item of
equipment being electronic equipment for automatic train control or video
surveillance equipment,wherein the display unit is capable of processing
the data and displaying, in addition to the data provided by the main
processor and the electronic control, command and monitoring equipment,
data produced by one of the at least one additional items of equipment.

2. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 1, wherein the electronic control, command and monitoring equipment
transmits specific data directly to the display unit, without passing via
the main processor, and the display unit displays, in addition to the
data provided by the main processor, data produced and transmitted
directly to the display unit by the electronic control, command and
monitoring equipment without passing via the main processor.

3. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 2, wherein the data transmitted by the electronic control, command
and monitoring equipment is adapted to transmit certain data directly to
the display unit and not to transmit such data to the main processor.

4. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 2, wherein the data transmitted from the electronic control,
command and monitoring equipment to the display unit is transmitted via
the main data transfer network.

5. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 2, wherein the display unit is connected directly to the electronic
control, command and monitoring equipment for the transmission of data
transmitted from the electronic control, command and monitoring equipment
to the display unit without passing via the main data transfer network.

6. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 2, wherein the display unit includes an input device for selecting
the data to be displayed from the data from the main processor and the
electronic control, command and monitoring equipment.

7. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 2, wherein the electronic control, command and monitoring equipment
includes at least one item of equipment selected from the group
comprising:electronic door control equipment electronic equipment for
controlling heating/ventilation/air-conditioning,electronic fire
detection equipment,electronic propulsion control equipment for
controlling and adjusting electric motors to set traction of the
vehicle,electronic equipment for automatic control of the train, sound
and data provision equipment,radio communication equipment for
communication between a driver and persons or equipment on the
ground,video surveillance equipment,auxiliary electronic energy
conversion equipment,electronic equipment for recording events and
incidents, andelectronic brake control equipment.

8. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 1, wherein the display unit automatically selects the data to be
displayed provided in accordance with the data received from the
electronic equipment and the main processor.

9. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 8, wherein the display unit identifies a zone in which an alarm is
activated and automatically provides images of the zone in which the
alarm is activated.

10. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a data processing unit that
automatically selects the data to be displayed provided in accordance
with the data received from the electronic equipment and the main
processor.

11. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 10, wherein the data processing unit identifies a zone in which an
alarm is activated and automatically provides images of the zone in which
the alarm is activated.

12. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 6, wherein the input device includes a keyboard.

13. The computerized on-board system for controlling a train according to
claim 7, wherein the. electronic equipment for recording events and
incidents is a black box.

Description:

[0001]Priority is claimed to French Patent Application No. 08 53909 filed
on Jun. 12, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein.

[0002]The present invention provides a computerized on-board system for
controlling a train or rail vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003]Currently, trains or rail vehicles which are formed by a succession
of carriages, which may or may not be motorized, or wagons have a
computerized on-board train control system comprising one or more main
processors which are connected to a man/machine interface which is
arranged in the cabin via a data transfer network to which there are
connected a given number of items of equipment of the vehicle, either
directly to this network or via input/output modules.

[0004]The man/machine interface is formed, for example, by a computer
screen and a keypad which allows the driver to be provided with data and
allows instructions to be received from the driver.

[0005]Conventionally, the main processor manages the driving and the
monitoring of the train or the rail vehicle.

[0006]The train or rail vehicle comprises a given number of other items of
equipment which may or may not be connected to the main transfer network,
such as sound equipment, video cameras, equipment for automatically
controlling the train, in particular its speed.

[0007]All these items of equipment require a dedicated man/machine
interface which is remote in the cabin in order to allow them to be
controlled by the driver and the driver to be provided with data.

[0008]These man/machine interfaces are each formed by a screen which may
be relatively large or small, or display units which are advanced to a
greater or lesser extent. These various screens and display units allow
data to be provided simultaneously to the driver, but take up a
significant amount of space in the driver's cabin and impair the clarity
of the data displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009]An object of the invention is to provide a computerized on-board
system which allows a better arrangement of the cabin for the provision
of the data from the various items of equipment of the train or rail
vehicle.

[0010]The present invention provides a computerized on-board train control
system including a train control and monitoring system (TCMS) having a
main processor unit (MPU) for controlling the train and electronic
control, command and monitoring equipment which is capable of providing
control data for the train. The on-board train control system also
includes remote input/output modules which are capable of relaying data
to and from the main processor unit (MPU) for the outputs/inputs of the
train or for the electronic control, command and monitoring equipment
which is connected to sub-networks for data transfer, at least one
display unit which is capable of making available the control data of the
train provided by the main processor unit (MPU) and/or by the electronic
control, command and monitoring equipment, and a main data transfer
network to which there are connected the main processor unit (MPU), the
at least one display unit, the remote input/output modules and the
electronic control, command and monitoring items of equipment which are
capable of producing specific data for the control of the train and which
are connected to the main data transfer network directly or by means of
remote input/output modules. The electronic control, command and
monitoring equipment which is capable of producing specific control data
for the train includes at least one additional item of equipment
including electronic equipment for automatic train control (ATC) and/or
video surveillance equipment (CCTV). The display unit is capable of
processing the data and displaying, in addition to the data provided by
the main processor and the electronic control, command and monitoring
equipment, data produced by one of the additional items of equipment.

[0011]According to preferred specific embodiments, the computerized
on-board system may include one or more of the following features:
[0012]an electronic control, command and monitoring equipment which is
capable of transmitting specific data directly to the display unit,
without passing via the main processor, and the display unit is capable
of displaying, in addition to the data provided by the main processor,
data produced and transmitted directly to the display unit by the
electronic control, command and monitoring equipment without these data
being transmitted from the main processor, [0013]the data transmitted by
the electronic control, command and monitoring equipment may not to be
transmitted to the main processor, [0014]means for transferring the data
transmitted from the electronic control, command and monitoring equipment
to the display unit via the main data transfer network, [0015]the display
unit may include means for connecting directly to the electronic control,
command and monitoring equipment for the transmission of data transmitted
from the electronic control, command and monitoring equipment to the
display unit without passing via the main data transfer network,
[0016]the display unit may include means for selecting the data to be
displayed from the data from the main processor and the electronic
control, command and monitoring equipment, [0017]the electronic control,
command and monitoring equipment may include at least one of the items of
equipment selected from the group including: [0018]electronic door
control equipment (DCU), [0019]electronic equipment for controlling
heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC), [0020]electronic fire
detection equipment, [0021]electronic propulsion control equipment (PCE)
which is capable of controlling and adjusting the electric motors which
allow the traction of the vehicle, [0022]electronic equipment for
automatic train control (ATC), [0023]sound and data provision equipment,
[0024]radio communication equipment which allows communication between
the driver and persons or equipment on the ground, [0025]video
surveillance equipment (CCTV), [0026]auxiliary electronic energy
conversion equipment (ACE), [0027]electronic equipment for recording
events and incidents, more commonly known as black boxes (BBox), and
[0028]electronic brake control equipment (BCE), [0029]the display unit
may include means for automatically selecting the data provided in
accordance with the data received from the electronic equipment and the
main processor, and [0030]the display unit may include means for
identifying a zone in which an alarm is activated and means for
automatically providing images of the zone in which an alarm is
activated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]The present invention will be better understood from a reading of
the following description, given purely by way of example and with
reference to the drawings, in which:

[0032]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the computerized on-board system
according to the invention;

[0033]FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the brake control network
according to the invention;

[0034]FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the electronic passenger
data network according to the invention;

[0035]FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the video surveillance
network according to the invention;

[0036]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a display unit of the computerized
on-board system according to the invention;

[0037]FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are views of a display unit of the computerized
on-board system in different operating modes; and

[0038]FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an algorithm implemented by the display
unit of the computerized on-board system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039]The computerized on-board control system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is
that of a train or rail vehicle 12 including, for example, five
successive carriages. This computerized on-board system extends over all
the carriages and includes a main data transfer network 14 which connects
all the equipment of the computerized on-board system. This
communications network is, for example, in accordance with standard IEC
61375-1 and is generally referred to as MVB.

[0040]Two redundant main processors 16 are connected to the network 14.
These processors ensure the implementation of the computer applications
for control of the train which allow the functionalities of the train to
be carried out, either by means of direct action of one of the main
processors or by delegating a functionality to another item of equipment
present on the train which performs the specific function which is
dedicated to it. The functionalities carried out for a train may include,
for example: [0041]Start-up and preparation of the train;
[0042]Traction and braking of the train; [0043]Driving in different modes
of the train: automatic, with or without driver, manual, with or without
speed limitation (restriction) mode, as a single unit or as a multiple
unit (by coupling of trains), etcetera; [0044]Functions referred to as
"passenger comfort" functions, such as doors, air-conditioning/heating
systems, fire-detection systems, alarm systems, camera surveillance
systems, passenger information systems: megaphone
system/intercommunication, information (audio and visual) relating to the
itinerary, etc.; [0045]Recording of events and incidents during the life
of the train (by black box or other equipment dedicated to the function);
and [0046]Preparing and disembarking from the train.

[0047]For information, these applications are written in a language in
accordance with the standard IEC 1131.

[0048]Furthermore, at each end of the rail vehicle, there are installed in
the driver's cabins two display units 18 which allow data provided by the
main processors 16 to be made available. In this manner, these display
units include an interface for connection to the network MVB 14.

[0049]The computerized on-board control system 10 includes remote
input/output modules 20 which are connected to the network 14. To these
input/output modules there are connected various items of electrical
equipment which allow the operation of the train or rail vehicle.

[0050]These remote input/output modules 20 include an interface for
connection to the MVB network 14 which allows the main processors 16 to
acquire data relating to the status of the train (directly via the inputs
or via the connection channels of the sub-networks for data transfer) and
the commands to be transmitted (directly via the outputs or via the
connection channels of the sub-networks for data transfer) to the
respective equipment in order to perform a specific function.

[0051]As known per se, these input/output modules also act as a gateway
between the main network MVB and the sub-networks for data transfer of
the type RS232, RS485, CAN, to which there are connected the processors
of various items of electrical equipment which allow the operation of the
train. This equipment includes the electronic control, command and
monitoring equipment which includes units 22 for controlling and
monitoring door closure, units 24 for controlling and monitoring heating
means, ventilation means and air-conditioning means of the carriages, and
units 26 for fire detection and other items of equipment which are not
mentioned since they are non-limiting.

[0052]The assembly including the main processors 16, display units 18,
remote input/output modules 20 and the transfer network 14 which connects
them includes the master system for controlling the train or rail
vehicle, known as TCMS (Train Control & Monitoring System).

[0053]All the items of equipment of the train which are connected to the
train control and monitoring system receive control data therefrom and
send status data or instructions to the system.

[0054]In order to inform the driver of the operating status of this
equipment, data are transmitted to the display units 18, which are
capable of providing this data to the driver.

[0055]In this manner, all the data exchanges between the equipment and the
driver are carried out via the train control and monitoring system (TCMS)

[0056]External electronic control equipment with respect to the train
control and management system TCMS are also connected thereto via the
transfer network 14. In this example, the external electronic equipment
includes: [0057]electronic propulsion control equipment (PCE) 28 which
is capable of controlling and adjusting the electric motors which allow
the traction of the vehicle, [0058]electronic automatic train control
equipment (ATC) 30, [0059]sound and data provision equipment 32,
[0060]radio communication equipment 34 which allows communication between
the driver and persons or equipment on the ground, [0061]video
surveillance equipment (CCTV) 36, [0062]auxiliary electronic energy
conversion equipment (ACE) 38, [0063]electronic equipment 40 for
recording events and incidents, more commonly known as black boxes (BBox)
40, and [0064]electronic brake control equipment (BCE) 42. This list is
non-limiting.

[0065]These are in addition to the other items of external equipment which
are connected to the network via the input/output interfaces, the
electronic control, command and monitoring equipment, including:
[0066]electronic door control equipment (DCU) 22, [0067]electronic
equipment 24 for controlling heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC),
and [0068]electronic fire detection equipment 26. This list is
non-limiting.

[0069]These items of external electronic equipment are capable of
receiving and transmitting data, in particular transmitting status data
for the information of the driver.

[0070]It is also possible for these items of external equipment to be
capable of transmitting data directly to the display units 18 of the
train control and monitoring system without passing via the main
processors 16.

[0071]Preferably, all the data which must be provided to the driver from
any one of the items of electronic equipment of the train, whether or not
the items of electronic equipment are provided via one of the main
processors MPU 16, are transmitted to the two display units 18 provided
in the cabin and are provided for the driver alternately and selectively
only on these display units. In this manner, the same display units are
used to display data from one of the main processors MPU 16 but also data
from the external equipment, at least some of these data not being
received from one of the main processors MPU 16.

[0072]FIG. 2 illustrates, for example, external equipment BCE 42 used to
control the braking via the computerized on-board system. This external
equipment BCE 42 for controlling the braking provides proximity control
of the brakes, in particular controls the brake actuators, the
measurements of load distribution and emergency braking. The BCE 42
further ensures anti-skid control for the carrier bogies and the
co-operation of the electrical and mechanical brakes.

[0073]In FIG. 2, the electronic brake control equipment 42 includes an
interface which connects it to a sub-network 46 for transferring data,
for example, of the CAN type, to the main data transfer network 14. On
the sub-network 46, there are arranged panels 48 for controlling local
brakes including electronic means for controlling the brakes of each
vehicle.

[0074]The data relating to the status of the brakes which must be provided
to the driver are transmitted from the panels 48 to the display units 18
successively via networks 46 and 14 without passing via and being
processed by the main processors MPU 16.

[0075]FIG. 3 illustrates sound means and means for providing information
for passengers via the on-board computer system. Those means include, as
above, an audio data transfer bus 50, to which the sound equipment 32 and
the radio communication equipment 34 are connected. The items of
equipment 32 and 34 are also connected to the main data transfer network
14, as set out above.

[0076]The radio communication equipment 34 is of the TETRA ("TErrestrial
Trunked RAdio") type, that is to say, in accordance with the standard
ETSI EN 300 392-1 and EN 300 392-2 developed in Europe for digital voice
and data radio communication. The radio communication equipment 34 is
capable of ensuring the transfer of data and voices between the ground
and the train.

[0077]The sound and data provision equipment includes an assembly of
internal and external loudspeakers 60, 62, display panels 64, equipment
66 for passenger announcements, emergency stop handles 68 for the train,
front displays 70 positioned at the ends of the train in order to be
visible from outside and indicators for indicating the side at which the
doors open.

[0078]Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the video surveillance
equipment (CCTV) 36 includes an image transfer bus 80, to which there are
connected video cameras 82 and flat display screens 84. The video
surveillance system incorporates video units 85 which are connected to
the video bus 80 and to electronic items of equipment 86 for controlling
the video system, ensuring the connection thereof to the main bus 14.
Those video units 85 are further connected directly to the display units
18 by means of gateways 87.

[0079]A display unit DDU 18 is described in greater detail in FIG. 5. The
display unit DDU 18 includes a screen 90 (of the touch or button type)
which allows information to be displayed. The keypad (of the touch or
button type) of the screen forms a means, for example, a user input 92,
for entering display requirements by the driver of the train or any other
person involved in its maintenance. The screen is connected to a data
processing unit 94 which is capable of controlling the display, receiving
the data entered and processing the data received from the various items
of electronic equipment via the data transfer network 14 by implementing
algorithms stored in a memory 95.

[0080]In order to receive the data, the display unit 18 includes a first
interface 96 for connection to the main data transfer network 14 and a
second separate interface 98 for connection to the image transfer bus 80.
The interface 98 is capable of receiving images from the video cameras
82.

[0081]Preferably, each display unit 18 includes a screen 90 which is
connected to a data processing unit 94. There are two redundant and
separate display units 18 in each cabin and both are connected to the
networks 14 and 80.

[0082]The two screens which are associated with the data processing unit
thereof function in the same manner and are capable of functioning
simultaneously. In the event of a breakdown of one of the two screens or
one of the two data processing units, the other remains active allowing
the train to operate in a degraded mode.

[0083]The display units function under the command of the data processing
units implementing the algorithms contained in the memory 95. In
particular the data processing units control the display instructions
provided from the input means 92 by the driver and, in accordance with
those display instructions and the data received via the different
networks, display information in accordance with a predetermined
presentation. In particular, an algorithm is capable of, from a welcome
page, selecting a given number of different display modes, in which data
of different kinds are provided to the driver.

[0084]FIG. 6 illustrates the appearance of the screen 90 when the screen
90 displays the welcome page which includes a given number of icons 100,
each icon corresponding to an information display option and a display
mode.

[0085]Some icons afford access to information provided by the main
processors 16, other icons allow acquisition of information provided by
external electronic control equipment, while other icons allow
acquisition of a synthesis of information from the main processors and
the external electronic control equipment.

[0086]In this example, twenty one icons (non-limiting) are available and
allow access to twenty one separate display modes (non-limiting).

[0087]The algorithm implemented by the display unit is such that, when an
icon is selected by the input means 92, it brings about the display of
the information corresponding to the manually selected icon.

[0088]FIG. 7 illustrates a first example of a display screen showing data
relating to the operating state of the auxiliary energy conversion
equipment of the train. This data is provided by the main processors 16
and is displayed in the manner illustrated on the basis of the algorithm
implemented by the data processing unit 94 of the display unit. In this
manner, a synoptic diagram of the circuit showing the main elements 102
is displayed on the screen and the voltages and/or strengths of the
circulating current and the states of the different elements are directly
displayed on the screen opposite the relevant element.

[0089]The lower portion of the screen shows icons which allow switching to
another display mode, or to the welcome screen.

[0090]FIG. 8 illustrates the display when a display mode is selected
allowing data from the electronic automatic train control equipment (ATC)
30 to be monitored. In this manner, this screen includes a first scale
104 with a moving cursor 106 illustrating the speed of the train and a
second scale 108 graphically illustrating, by means of a colored zone
110, the projected distance for stopping the train, taking its current
speed into consideration.

[0091]All the data displayed on the screen are provided by the electronic
automatic train control equipment 30 without those data passing via or
being processed by the main processors 16.

[0092]The data processing unit 94 of the display unit integrates
algorithms for representing and formatting the data obtained directly
from the equipment 30.

[0093]FIG. 9 illustrates a display mode allowing the provision of data
from both the main processors and the external electronic equipment.

[0094]The upper portion of the screen includes a schematic representation
120 of the train, in which there are illustrated the five carriages and
the positions 122 of the doors provided on the train.

[0095]The lower portion of the image includes two video sequences 124
which are provided by two cameras of the train. The cameras from which
the images originate are selected automatically by the display unit when
an alarm is activated following actuation of an emergency stop handle of
the train. In that case, the images provided by the cameras which monitor
the zone in which the alarm was activated are displayed.

[0096]The data processing unit 94 of the display unit implements, when an
alarm is activated by actuation of an emergency stop handle, the
algorithm illustrated in FIG. 10. At step 130, the zone in which the stop
handle is located is detected. At step 132, this zone is identified on
the diagram of the train by a pictogram 134 being positioned opposite
that zone. At step 136, the images provided by the two cameras positioned
in the alarm activation zone detected are displayed on the two lower
regions of the screen.

[0097]In this manner, the algorithm allows automatic display, without any
intervention by the driver, of video images showing the activation zone
of the alarm.

[0098]It will be appreciated that such an algorithm allows the driver to
be provided with the most relevant data, at any given moment, while
considerably reducing the number of screens to be fitted in the driver's
cabin. The same mechanism is carried out for other types of data.

[0099]Using the same control unit, including a unit for processing the
data by means of algorithms for providing data from different origins,
whether they are processed by the train control and monitoring system or
not, allows improvements to the arrangement of the cabin and intelligence
to be applied to the processing of the data to be displayed in place of a
simple display unit having no intelligence, and allows the driver to be
shown only the data which he really needs, thereby facilitating
comprehension of the data available and simultaneously reducing the cost
of the cabin by reducing the number of display units necessary (each one
specific to a function) and by reducing the resultant spatial requirement
of these various display units.